Fresno County Registered Sex Offenders
Sex offenders in Fresno County must register with local law enforcement. The county sheriff handles registration for most areas. The city of Fresno has its own police department that processes registrants within city limits. Anyone convicted of certain sex crimes must check in and update their information on a regular basis. You can search for offenders in the area using the California Megan's Law website. The state database shows names, photos, and addresses for registered individuals. Fresno County is one of California's most populous counties. The sheriff and local police departments track hundreds of offenders across cities and rural areas. This keeps the registry accurate and helps protect the community.
Fresno County Quick Facts
Fresno County Sheriff Registration
The Fresno County Sheriff's Office manages sex offender registration for unincorporated areas and some cities. The main office is at 2200 Fresno Street in Fresno, 93721. You can call them at 559-600-3111. Contact the sheriff's PC 290 registration unit for information about registration hours and procedures. Offenders must appear in person to register or update their information.
When someone moves to Fresno County, they have five working days to register with the sheriff or local police. They bring ID and proof of address. The agency takes a photo and collects information about the person's job, vehicle, and internet use. All this data gets sent to the California Department of Justice. The DOJ updates the statewide Megan's Law database based on this information.
Most offenders in Fresno County update once per year. The update must happen within five working days before or after the person's birthday. Some offenders update more often. Transients with no permanent address check in every 30 days. Sexually violent predators register every 90 days. The sheriff tracks these schedules and follows up if someone misses an appointment.
Fresno Police Department Registration
The city of Fresno operates its own police department registration unit. The Fresno Police Department is at 2280 Fresno Street. Their PC 290 unit can be reached at 559-600-8068. Registration hours are Tuesday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon. Offenders living in Fresno must register with the police department, not the county sheriff.
Fresno is the largest city in the county with over 500,000 residents. Many registered sex offenders live in Fresno. The police department handles all registration for people within city limits. The process is similar to the sheriff's office. Offenders show up in person, provide updated information, and get photographed. The police send the data to the state DOJ.
Other cities in Fresno County include Clovis, Sanger, Selma, and Reedley. Each city with its own police department may handle registration for offenders living within city limits. Check with the local police department to verify where to register. The county sheriff handles registration for unincorporated areas and smaller towns.
California Megan's Law Database
The California Megan's Law website at meganslaw.ca.gov is the main tool for finding registered sex offenders in Fresno County. You can search by city, zip code, or address. The map feature shows offenders near a specific location like a school or park. Each profile includes a photo, physical description, and details about the crime that led to registration.
Some offenders display a full street address. Others only show a zip code. A few are marked as undisclosed due to court orders or privacy rules. Fresno County has hundreds of registered offenders spread across its cities and rural areas. The registry lists each person's tier level. Tier One offenders register for ten years. Tier Two offenders register for twenty years. Tier Three offenders register for life.
You must agree to a disclaimer before searching. The site warns that misusing registry information is a crime. You cannot use the data to harass or harm an offender. Doing so can result in fines and jail time. The purpose of the registry is to help people protect themselves and their families. Law enforcement also uses it to track offenders and ensure compliance.
DOJ Registration Resources
The California Department of Justice oversees all sex offender registration in the state. The DOJ maintains the central database and publishes the Megan's Law website. You can contact the DOJ at MegansLaw@doj.ca.gov with questions about registration or the public website. The DOJ also handles exclusion requests from offenders who want their information removed from the internet.
Offenders can apply for exclusion using form CJIS-4046D. The form is available on the DOJ sex offender registration forms page. Processing takes 30 to 90 days or longer. Not everyone qualifies for exclusion. The law limits who can be removed from the public site. Even if excluded from the website, the person still must register with local law enforcement in Fresno County.
The DOJ also offers information about Senate Bill 384, which created the tiered registration system. This law went into effect on January 1, 2021. Before that date, most sex offenders registered for life. Now they are divided into three tiers based on the severity of their offense. Tier One and Tier Two offenders can petition the court to end their registration requirement after completing the minimum period.
National Registry and Federal Resources
The National Sex Offender Public Website at nsopw.gov searches registries from all 50 states. You can use this tool to check if someone registered in another state before moving to Fresno County. The national database pulls data from local and state sources across the country. It does not replace the California Megan's Law site. For current information about offenders in Fresno County, use the state registry first.
Some sex offenders are under federal supervision. These individuals may be monitored by U.S. Probation or the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Federal offenders still must register with local law enforcement in the county where they live. They follow the same rules as state offenders. Local registration offices coordinate with federal agencies to track these individuals.
Legal Framework
California law requires sex offender registration under Penal Code Section 290. This statute lists all the crimes that trigger a registration requirement. Anyone convicted of rape, lewd acts with a minor, sexual battery, or other specified offenses must register. The law applies uniformly across California, including in Fresno County.
Penal Code Section 290.46 mandates that the DOJ publish sex offender information on the internet. This is the legal basis for the Megan's Law website. The statute specifies what information can be disclosed to the public. Some offenders are excluded from the website even though they must register with local law enforcement.
Penal Code Section 290.012 sets out update requirements. Most offenders update once per year within five working days of their birthday. Sexually violent predators update every 90 days. Transients update every 30 days. These rules apply uniformly across California.
No fees apply to sex offender registration in California. State law prohibits charging any fee for this mandatory process. Offenders do not pay to register or to update their information. This rule applies at the state, county, and city level in Fresno County.
Penal Code Section 261 covers rape. This is defined as nonconsensual sexual intercourse accomplished by force, threats, or fraud. The punishment is three, six, or eight years in state prison. Rape generally requires lifetime registration under Tier Three.
Victim Services and Legal Aid
Victims of sex crimes can find help through local organizations. The Fresno County District Attorney's Victim Services Division offers support to crime victims. They provide information about the criminal justice process and help victims understand their rights. You can contact them through the DA's office in Fresno.
Legal aid is available for people who need assistance with registration issues or related legal matters. Central California Legal Services serves low-income residents in Fresno County. They offer free or low-cost legal services. Other nonprofit groups in the area also provide help with criminal records and expungement.
The California Victim Compensation Board provides financial assistance to crime victims. You can apply for compensation to cover medical bills, counseling, and lost wages. The application process is available online or through local victim advocates.
Cities in Fresno County
Fresno County includes one major city with a population over 100,000. The city of Fresno has its own police department that handles sex offender registration for residents within city limits.
Other cities in the county include Clovis, Sanger, Selma, Reedley, and Coalinga. Each has its own police department or relies on the county sheriff for law enforcement. Sex offenders living in these cities should check with local authorities to determine where to register. You can search for offenders in any city using the statewide Megan's Law website.
Nearby Counties
Fresno County borders several other counties in the Central Valley and Sierra Nevada region. Offenders who move between these counties must update their registration with the new jurisdiction within five working days. Each county has its own law enforcement agencies and registration systems.